SPARK MAGNIFIER!!!

[GP Kevo]

Without an objective test you don't know if you are projecting a favourable result and hence, it "feels" better. You could try riding without knowing if it is fitted or not, and have others ride your scooter like that, then check your preferences against whether the SM was fitted or not. That's the only scientific way that I can think of to test for "feeling", which Americans might call "seat of the pants".

[joeythescooterboy]

An IN400 and a 0.47uf cap cost next to nothing. Personally I think the effect of increasing the voltage above what's needed to ignite the mixture will be mostly in the mind. But it's worth trying for a couple of quid.

My thoughts exactly- 10 caps and 10 diodes cost me £8 posted ( well not strictly speaking cost me personally )

Where did you order them from fella?

[Ian Hepworth]

Without an objective test you don't know if you are projecting a favourable result and hence, it "feels" better. You could try riding without knowing if it is fitted or not, and have others ride your scooter like that, then check your preferences against whether the SM was fitted or not. That's the only scientific way that I can think of to test for "feeling", which Americans might call "seat of the pants".

When you are testing things when there is no real way to measure if they work or not, one thing to do is to reverse what you have done and see if it makes things worse again.

Otherwise you are up against the placebo effect where your scooter feels better because you are trying to justify the expense to yourself.

In the case of these spark magnifiers the simple act of fitting them by changing your HT lead, cap and plug might be what "cures" the problem.

My missus works in cancer research and the lengths they have to go to are amazing to make sure the results of the trials they do are statistically significant and scientifically valid. Otherwise you get people using flawed research to push their agenda as we saw with the MMR vaccine thing.

[Ian Hepworth]

Some good links:-

http://fuelsaving.info/debunk.htm

http://fuelsaving.info/ignition.htm

[Dazza]

An IN400 and a 0.47uf cap cost next to nothing. Personally I think the effect of increasing the voltage above what's needed to ignite the mixture will be mostly in the mind. But it's worth trying for a couple of quid.

My thoughts exactly- 10 caps and 10 diodes cost me £8 posted ( well not strictly speaking cost me personally )

Where did you order them from fella?

From RS , I'll get the part numbers for you tomorrow when I'm back at work

[joeythescooterboy]

Cheers fella.

[markauk]

I fancy having a bash at making one of these too, Dazza could you send me the part numbers too? much appreciated

[KTy]

Some good links:-

http://fuelsaving.info/debunk.htm

http://fuelsaving.info/ignition.htm

Don't forget that those vespa/lambretta engines are from the 60s, and one thing for sure is that you *cannot* have a carburetor perfectly tuned and jetted for the whole RPM range (not too mention ignition timing etc).
At the end of the day what the SM does is helping burning more efficiently the mixture, especially at low and mid-rpm where you are usually richer.

[markauk]

I made one (put the diode on the wrong way first ) then fitted the second version at the weekend, does defineitly seem to start better and run a bit smoother, its also combined with an Augsto 7000 unit on a t5 polini 152, smoothy smoothy smooth, it may not give more power but its abit better for the environment, so Im happy, not sure if it has any affect on fuel ecomony but it should be cleaner, 160 mile run on Friday will test it better

first time Ive made anything like this, it was quite simple really
so far its been worth the £3 from Maplin and 1 hour of my time

[J1MS]

Some good links:-

http://fuelsaving.info/debunk.htm

http://fuelsaving.info/ignition.htm

Don't forget that those vespa/lambretta engines are from the 60s, and one thing for sure is that you *cannot* have a carburetor perfectly tuned and jetted for the whole RPM range (not too mention ignition timing etc).
At the end of the day what the SM does is helping burning more efficiently the mixture, especially at low and mid-rpm where you are usually richer.

wise words.